Importance of Publishing

Publishing

            Publishing is a very important in the music industry, but it seems this in one of the most looked over aspects of artist in their career.  Publishing is one of the main reasons artist back in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s ended up losing everything they worked hard for.  Or publishing is the reason that groups like the Temptations had to always keep touring because they did not write or publish any of the music they performed.   In today’s music industry there is not a reason to go through what artists of those time period went through because the Internet allows one to do their research.  But believe it or not some artist are so excited to get a deal that they do not pay attention to what type of contract they are getting into.  People in the music industry understand that they do not make money off of an artist selling music in today’s music industry.  But record labels are still well aware that publishing still makes money like it did back in the day.   

            So a few things an artist should do while making their music.  The first and foremost important step is to copyright all of their music.  This is very important to protect themselves from having their hard work stolen from them.  But I find the problem with independent artist is they do not want to do the research to this and to make sure they are doing this correctly.  A lot of independent artist are just concerned with performing and putting their music out there, and not realizing that they can be setting themselves up for failure.   My advice to every independent artist make sure you copyright your material, and look into get your music published.  As an artist you can make a lot of money by publishing your work and selling it to well known artist in the industry.  And all you did was a write a song, something you do everyday.

Kellie B.

Do Your Research on Digital Distribution

Digital Distribution

            In today’s music industry everyone keeps saying it is easy to distribute music compared to the 90’s.  I would agree as well because you have iTunes, tunecore, CD Baby and even website such as reverbnation that will digitally distribute your music on 40 different sites.   Even though it might be easy to put your music online to be sold, does an artist still have to spend marketing money to make people go to these sites, and buy their music?  The answer the question is yes, an artist has to learn how to market promote their music once they have it available online to sell.

            Just like any other business marketing is one of the highest budgets a company has.  Marketing is the way to bring your music to the world.  So what are ways an artist can promote their online distribution?  A good way to is have their own website, that they have links to iTunes, and other online distributors.  Another major way is utilize social networking sites such as twitter and Facebook.  Those two sites and can be the major source of marketing, and the great part about using these sites is that both of social networking sites are free to use.  Now there are also sites online that an artist can pay for that will teach an artist on how to properly market their music online, and what are some the proper ways to go about marketing their music.  I am a fan of a person investing in themselves and that is the reason I am furthering my education to get the knowledge needed to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.   I think this is sometimes where independent artist makes mistakes on their career.  They are so eager to make a new track and put it online to sell, and they now feel they have made.  Then four months down the road they have only sold ten songs. They do not do the research they need or take the time and money to invest in their marketing to put a single or album out to the world, and this is what hurts them in the long run.  

Kellie B.